Ravens make up for late start with Kindle & Cody

FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2009, file photo, Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee (5) attempts to escape the pressure from Texas defensive end Sergio Kindle (2) during the second half the NCAA college football Big 12 Conference championship game in Arlington, Texas. Kindle is a top prospect in the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Amy Gutierrez, File)
— AP

FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2009, file photo, Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee (5) attempts to escape the pressure from Texas defensive end Sergio Kindle (2) during the second half the NCAA college football Big 12 Conference championship game in Arlington, Texas. Kindle is a top prospect in the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Amy Gutierrez, File)
/ AP

Newsome dismissed rumors that Kindle dropped in the draft because of a knee injury. Kindle said he didn't expect the knee to be an issue, and insisted that two traffic mishaps - a 2007 DWI arrest and a 2009 crash while he was texting - should be of no concern.

"The Lord put me through those situations to learn and to make me the man I am today," Kindle said.

Cody was projected by many to be a first-rounder, but his massive size (he once weighed 400 pounds) might have scared away some potential suitors. Newsome, however, pointed out that Cody has dropped significant pounds since the Senior Bowl.

"He understands that in order for him to have longevity in the league, controlling his weight is as important to him as it is to us," Newsome said.

Dickson is a 6-4, 249-pounder who caught 120 passes for 1,512 yards and 12 touchdowns over the past three seasons for the Ducks. He's expected to provide Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco another target to go with Boldin, Derrick Mason, Donte' Stallworth, Mark Clayton and veteran tight end Todd Heap.

"He's very athletic. He can stretch the field, he's got very good hands and is a big target," DeCosta said of Dickson. "We think he's got loads of promise as a receiving tight end. He's got a great guy to learn from in Todd Heap, and hopefully he and Joe will develop a very strong chemistry."

After waiting a day to get in on the action, DeCosta was delighted with his work Friday night.

"We got guys that we wouldn't want to play against," he said. "The guys all have a dominant trait in some respect. They do different things very well."